Decreasing freight costs from Ukraine's deep-water ports allow traders to increase purchase prices

The maritime transportation market is experiencing a surplus of available vessels and a shortage of new cargo, which is contributing to a decrease in freight rates from deep-water ports of Ukraine, analysts at Spike Brokers report.

"Yes, freight rates for hand-sized cargoes to Italy have fallen to $16-17/t, and to Spain to $17-19/t. At the same time, freight rates for barges from Danube ports remain stable," the report says.

As of January 15, market rates for transportation from the port of Izmail were:

• Romania – €9-10/t (1-3 thousand tons),
• east coast of Italy – $27-29/t (5-7 thousand tons).

The rates for transportation from the port of Chornomorsk on the specified date were:

• east coast of Italy – $16-17/t (30-35 thousand tons),
• east coast of Spain – $17-19/t (25-30 thousand tons).